Crib and table combination

ABSTRACT

A baby crib and infant table combination is provided whereby the crib is adapted to seat upon the table top and is releasably attached to the table by retractable locking lugs. In one embodiment of the invention, the table carries foldout table top extension sections and folding legs which are pivotable from a first locked downward position to a second locked folded position wherein they are substantially parallel to the table top. Handle assemblies are provided to lift and suspend the crib and the table when attached thereto.

United States Patent [1 1 Brown 11 13,75,198 [451 Aug. 7, W3

[ CRIB AND TABLE COMBINATION [76] Inventor: Samuel E. Brown, 201 N. Sparks,

Belton, Tex. 76513 [22] Filed: June 15, 1972 [2]] App]. No.: 263,283

[52] US. Cl. 5/2 R, 5/93 R, 5/99 E [51] Int. Cl A47c 27/08, A47C 13/38 [58] Field of Search 5/2, 93, 94, 97,

[56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1940 Giles 5/99 R 9/1951 Merdian... 5/93 R l/l965 Scotney 5/98 R X MQ'XV W WFFA-N ers n Attorney- D. Carl Richards, Garland P. Andrews et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A baby crib and infant table combination is provided whereby the crib is adapted to seat upon the table top and is releasably attached to the table by retractable locking lugs. In one embodiment of the invention, the table carries foldout table top extension sections and folding legs which are pivotable from a first locked downward position to a second locked folded position wherein they are substantially parallel to the table top. Handle assemblies are provided to lift and suspend the crib and the table when attached thereto.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures CRIB AND TABLE CGMIBINATION This invention relates to infant furniture. In another aspect, this invention relates to an improved crib-table combination.

There is a need in our mobile society for lightweight transportable nursery furniture which includes not only a comfortable crib for the baby but also a transportable and convenient infant table which will provide adequate work space for the mother to properly attend to and dress the infant. Most infant tables are associated with baby bathinettes and other such furniture and are not easily transported from one location to another in a motor vehicle, for example. In addition, most of the conventional infant work tables basically only serve the purpose of providing a surface on which to lay and attend to the baby, and for storage of items within integral compartments and drawers.

One object of this invention is to provide an easily transportable combination baby crib and work table which will not only provide the baby with a very comfortable bed but also an adequate work space for the mother or nurse to dress and otherwise attend to the needs of the baby at a comfortable level above the floor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel baby crib with handles which will allow the crib to be evenly and smoothly suspended while being carried.

According to one embodiment of this invention, a novel crib-table combination is provided which includes a baby crib with a matching table support member to which the crib is releasably attached.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the crib-table combination comprises a crib which includes a base enclosed by upwardly extending sidewalls and end walls with crib support members such as rockers which extend downwardly from peripheral portions of the base member, and a table adapted to receive the base of the crib on its upper surface and carrying locking lugs which align with and engage locking apertures carried by the crib support members, the table further comprising legs which are pivotally mounted from a first locked downward position to second locked folded position.

According to still another embodiment of this invention, the above-described table member includes a foldout table top which can be extended outwardly once the crib is releasably detached therefrom to provide a relatively large work area.

According to still another embodiment of this invention, novel support handles for a baby crib are provided which include handle grip members positioned on the upper sidewalls of a crib; an elastic member which urges the gripping members against the upper end of the sidewalls, and flexible lines extending loosely from the opposite ends of each handle gripping section to points adjacent the upper end of each sidewall, to serve as crib suspension members as the gripping section is grasped and lifted upwardly.

This invention can be more easily understood from a study of the drawings in which:

FIG. ii is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the crib-table combination of FIG. I in folded position;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the table member of the combination as set forth in FIG. ll;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view partially in section of the table member of the combination of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a component of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the crib member set forth in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing details of the handle members.

Now referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, an exploded perspective view of a preferred crib-table combination of this invention is shown in detail. The basic crib-table combination of this invention comprises crib 10 which is adapted to seat upon table member 26 and be retained upon table member 20. Furthermore, crib and table member 20 are adapted to be releasably locked together to form a single unit.

As shown, crib 110 comprises a base section 12 which is enclosed by contiguous sidewalls M and end walls 16. Crib 116 carries retractable handle assemblies 16, which will be described in detail below. In addition, rocker members 22 are carried at the bottom of crib 110 and adjacent the peripheral end portions of base member 12. The inside of rocker members 22 carry locking apertures 24. It is noted that rocker members 22 are formed from a lower arcuate rocker section 22a, joined to upper horizontal shoulders 22b which serve as stops to prevent the crib 10 from tipping over whenever rocker members 22 are resting on a floor surface and crib 10 is subject to rocking motion. It is further noted that any other suitable crib support members can be used in the scope of this invention other than rocker members 22. For example, leg members can be substituted for rocker members 22. Any such other crib support members will however, carry locking apertures 26 on the inside surface thereof.

Table member 26 basically comprises a rectangularshaped frame 26 formed by the surface 30, sides 46 and 42, and ends 46 and 46. Frame 26 is supported by a pair of folding leg assemblies 28. Table member 20 carries a pair of two-way" drawers 32 and 36, respectively, which are slidably mounted through frame 26. Furthermore, frame 26 carries table extension sections 36 and 38 which are pivotally mounted along frame sides dill and 62, respectively. Retractable locking lugs 44 are slidably mounted through frame ends 46 and 48.

FIG 2 is a perspective view of the novel combination of the subject invention with folding leg assemblies 28 in their locked and retracted positions. Furthermore, crib 116 is in its normally locked position upon table member 20. In this position, table extension sections 36 and 38 are folded inward in abutting relationship upon surface 36 of frame 26 in the manner as illustrated in FIG. 3. With folding leg assemblies 26 in the retracted position as illustrated in FIG. 2, handle assemblies 16 can be grasped and the novel combination can be easily carried and placed in an automobile seat, for example, and transported.

Table extension sections 36 and 36 are pivotally mounted on the upper portion of sides 60 and 62, re spectively, of frame 26 by hinges-32. Table extension sections 36 and 36 are thereby pivotally mounted upon frame 26 to swing from a first position flush with surface 30 such as illustrated. in FIG. 3 upwardly and outwardly to their extended positions as illustrated in FIG. ll. Table extension sections 36 and 36 are preferably supported in the extended positions by braces 66, as will be fully described in relation to FIG. 6. Thus, table extension sections 36 and 38 are approximately onehalf the width of the top surface 30 of frame 26 and approximately the same length thereof so that when in the folded position as illustrated in FIG. 3, the non-pivotal ends thereof are in abutting relationship. Therefore, when table extension sections 36 and 38 are folded as illustrated in FIG. 3, and crib is attached to table member 20, the lower base portion 12 of crib 10 will rest thereupon, and rocker members 22 will extend downwardly adjacent the ends 46 and 48 of frame 26. Furthermore, locking apertures 24 which are carried on the inside surfaces of rocker members 22 will align with and receive retractable locking lugs 44 to retain crib 10 upon frame 26 in a locked relationship as shown in FIG. 2.

Now again referring to FIGS. 1-4, folding leg assemblies 28 each comprise a pair of legs 54 which are pivotally mounted to frame 26 by pivotal connections 56 and extend downwardly past brace 55 to the lower horizontal support member 58. Casters 60 are carried by lower horizontal support members 58. Locking braces 62 are preferably made of spring steel and are pivotally connected to legs 54 through eyes 62a as shown in FIG. 1. Eyes 62a receive the hooked end of J bolts 64 which pass through legs 54. The threaded ends of bolts 64 receive wing nuts 66. Locking ends 68 of locking braces 62 are shown in FIG. 4. As shown, locking ends 68 are bent inwardly and ride within longitudinal side slots 72 of runners 70. A cross sectional view of a runner 70 is illustrated in FIG. 5. Thus, each runner 70 carries an outer continuous slot 72 and a pair of spaced locking apertures 76 and 78 which are adapted to receive locking end 68 of a corresponding locking brace 62 when leg assemblies 28 are extended and retracted, respectively. The locking end 68 of locking brace 62 can be retained with slot 72 by a bushing attached As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two-way drawers 32 and 34 extend through frame 26. Both ends of two-way drawers 32 and 34 carry handles 32a and 34a, respectively. Thus, the drawers can be pulled open from either side 40 or side 42 of frame 26. As a locking mechanism to prevent the drawers from easily sliding open during transit of the crib-table combination of the subject invention, butterfly latches 88 are provided on sides 40 and 42 between drawers 32 and 34. The butterfly latch 88 on side 42 is illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown, butterfly latch 88 comprises a general V shaped body having a pair of upwardly extending latching arms 88a and is pivotally mounted to side 42 of frame 26 at pivot point 88b. The normally locked position of butterfly latch 88 is illustrated in FIG. 2. To unlatch one of the drawers 32 or 34, the butterfly latch is rotated either to the right or to the left so that one of the locking arms 88a clears the edge of the drawer to which it is desired to open and can generally rest in the area 90 between drawers 32 and 34 or against the other drawer. This will allow one of the drawers 32 or 34 to be opened while portions of one upward extending butterfly arm 88a still locks the other drawer closed. To open both drawers 32 and 34 from the same side at the same time, the butterfly latch 88 can merely be rotated 180 to allow the locking arms 88a to be pointed in the downward direction so that both drawers can be easily thereto or other suitable means (not shown). Tension applied by turning wing nuts 66 forces eyes 62a oflocking braces 62 outward and results in the locking ends 68 of locking braces 62 to be forced inwardly and against the continuous side of runners 70 opposite slots 72. Therefore, when leg assemblies 28 are pivoted generally perpendicular to frame 26, locking ends 68 will align with and pass through locking apertures 76 in locking engagement. To retract leg assemblies 28, outward force is applied upon locking braces 62 such that locking ends 68 are retracted from locking apertures 76, and leg assemblies 28 are folded inwardly flush to frame 26, at which time locking ends 68 pass through apertures 78 of runners 70 and are thereby retained in locking relationship therewithin. This action will retain leg assemblies 28 in locked, folded relationship as shown in FIG. 2.

Now again referring to FIG. 4, table extension section 36 is illustrated in the outward extended position. When in the outward extended position, brace 80 is in direct support thereof from a fixed pivot point 82 on the lower portion of frame 26 to recess 84 of table extension section 36. As illustrated, braces 80 are carried on the bottom side of frame 26 and are carried in pivotal relationship at points 82 and are retained against frame 26 by spring clamp means 86. Thus, when extension section 36 or 38 is swung outwardly, a brace 80 can be released from a spring clamp means 86 and the end thereof is inserted within recess 84. This will provide a very stable support for extension sections 36 and 38.

opened.

The locking lug actuation system for locking lugs 44 is illustrated in FIG. 6 which is a partial sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along lines 66 of FIG. 1. As shown, locking lugs 44 are biased normally outwardly by the action of coil springs 92. Looking lugs 44 comprise the front locking section and a widened flange section 44a. Locking lugs 44 extend through the apertures in the ends 46 and 48, respectively, of frame 26. The flange section 44a carries a control rod 44b which extends through the center of coil spring 92. The end of control rod 44b carries an eye which is attached to a suitable control line 44a which is in turn passed to actuation control ring 93. By pulling control ring 93, locking lugs 44 are thereby retracted rearwardly toward the inside of frame 26 thereby compressing coil springs 92. When locking lugs 44 are so retracted, crib 10 can be easily lifted from the top of table member 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, each handle assembly 18 of crib 10 generally comprises a gripping section 18a which is normally held snug against the upper surface of sidewall 14 of the crib 10 by the action of elastic retraction means (shown in FIG. 7), and suspension lines 18b which extend from the opposite ends of gripping sections 18a to points adjacent the outer upper end of sidewall 14 at attachment points 94. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the suspension lines 18b hang loosely between attachment points 94 and the ends of gripping section 18a and therefore, each has a length which is greater than the distance from point 94 to the end of gripping section 18a. Thus, when gripping sections 18a are grasped and pulled upwardly, suspension lines 1812 will be pulled taut in the manner as shown in FIG. I and thereby serve to suspend crib 10 in a very stable manner. In addition, when handle sections 18a are in their normal position snug against the upper sidewalls 14 of crib l0, crib 10 with or without the folded base table member 20 attached thereto can be placed in the seat of an automobile and the seat belts of the automobile passed through the loops formed 9 from suspension lines 18b to snugly hold the crib against the seat of the automobile.

As shown in FIG. '7, extension bars 95 are attached to the lower outer portions of gripping sections 19a and extend downwardly therefrom and through apertures 97 within the upper sidewalls M of crib 19. The lower ends of extension bars 95 are attached to support lines 96 which in turn pass through a pair of cooperating rollers 98 and around roller 100. The leading ends 102a and 102b, respectively, of the two support lines 96 are each attached to elastic members ldda and lltldb, respectively. The elastic members 104a and 10 are each fixedly attached to support member 199, as shown. Elastic members 194a and 1104b canbe made of any suitable material which may include a coil spring, a rubber strip or any resilient elastic material which will keep constant tension on support lines 96 to thereby constantly urge gripping section 19a against the upper surface of sidewall 14. Thus, as gripping section 18a is grasped and lifted upwardly, the elastic members 194a and limb will stretch and allow support lines 96 to roll upon rollers 190 and between cooperating rollers 99 until handle 19 pulls suspension lines Ebb taut in the upward position as shown in broken line in FIG. 7. Whenever gripping sections 18a are released, the elastic members 194a and limb will immediately contract and cause the extension bars 95 to retract within apertures 97 in the upper ends of sidewall M. This handle suspension system is highly efficient and effective for carrying the crib 19 in a very smooth suspended relationship.

The combination of the subject invention provides advantages not furnished by the conventional cribs or conventional infant tables known in the art. Crib 19 can be attached to table member 20 by the cooperating action of lugs 44 and locking recesses 24 to provide a raised, stable sleeping crib for a baby which can be easily rolled and moved to desired places by the action of casters b9. Whenever it is desired to either transport or utilize crib l separately from table member 20 or utilize the top working surface of table member 29, locking lugs 441 can be retracted by pulling control ring 93, and lifting crib 119 therefrom. in this manner, crib 119 can be utilized as a rocker crib for a baby, and table member 29 can be utilized to provide a rather large working surface. Two-way drawers 32 and 34 can be opened from either side 49 or side 92 of table member 20 to provide the necessary items which may be stored therein such as safety pins, lotions, powder, diapers and the like. Either or both of table extension sections 96 and 39 can be opened to provide the desired working space. Furthermore, the combination of the subject invention can be easily stored and/or transported as a unit by merely folding leg assemblies 29 in the manner described in the specification to the folded and locked position underneath the table member. Handle assemblies 119 can be utilized to carry the combination to the desired location. Furthermore, handle assemblies lid provide a means whereby the combination or the crib ltll alone can be carried by one or two people very conveniently. Two people can easily grasp handle sections We and the crib 119 or combination can be suspended therebetween as the people walk. Alternately, if desired, a one-hand carry by a single person can be accomplished by merely grasping gripping sections 19a in one hand and suspending crib MD or the combination in the manner shown in broken line in FllG. 11. As mentioned earlier in the specification the loops formed by suspension lines 18b between the ends of gripping sections 18a and suspension points 94 can be utilized to receive an automobile seat belt. in this manner, the total combination in folded position or the crib it) alone can be placed within and safely secured to an automobile seat with a seat belt to provide a very safe means in which an infant can be transported in an automobile without fear of the infant becoming injured when sliding from the seat during a sudden braking action or jolting action of the automobile.

It is noted, that while this invention has been described in relation to its preferred embodiments, various modifications thereof will now be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading this specification and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

ll. A crib and table combination comprising:

a. a table member which includes a frame having a flat upper surface, legs depending from said frame, retractable locking lugs carried by said frame and movably positioned to extend outwardly of said frame, means to actuate said locking lugs; and a crib member adapted to be removably positioned on said table member comprising a base enclosed by upwardly extending contiguous sidewalls and end walls, said base adapted to overlie said flat upper surface of said table member, support members extending downwardly from the peripheral portions of said base, said support members being aligned to fit adjacent said locking lugs of said frame and carrying locking apertures which align with and receive said locking lugs when said crib member is positioned on said table member to thereby retain said crib on said table in a locked relationship.

2. The combination of claim ll wherein said crib comprises a handle assembly positioned on the upper middle portion of each sidewall, each said handle assembly comprising:

a. a hand gripping section;

b. an elastic member which urges said gripping section against said upper portion of said sidewall; and

c. flexible suspension lines extending from opposite ends of said gripping section to points adjacent the upper ends of each sidewall, each said flexible suspension lines being of greater length than the distance from the end of the gripping section to an adjacent said point, said flexible suspension lines thereby suspending said cradle when said gripping sections are grasped and pulled upwardly.

9. The combination of claim ll further comprising a pair of table top extension sections hingedly connected to the periphery of said flat upper surface and adapted to pivot from abutting relationship adjacent the center of said surface upwardly and outwardly to a position outwardly of said frame and parallel with said surface.

d. A crib and table combination comprising:

a. a table member which includes a frame having a flat upper surface, legs depending downwardly from said frame and pivotable from a first locked position perpendicular to said frame to a second locked and folded position generally parallel to said frame, retractable locking lugs carried by said frame and movably positioned to extend outwardly of said frame, means to actuate said locking lugs; and

. a crib member adapted to be removably positioned on said surface of said frame comprising a base enpension lines thereby suspending said cradle when said hand gripping sections are grasped and pulled upwardly. I r

6. The combination of claim 4 further comprising closed by upwardly extending contiguous sidewalls table top extension sections hingedly connected to the and end walls, support members extending downwardly from the peripheral portions of said base, and carrying locking apertures which will align with and receive said locking lugs when said crib member is positioned upon said table member to thereby retain said crib and said table when in locked relationship.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said crib comprises a handle assembly positioned on the upper middle portion of each sidewall, each said handle assembly comprising:

a. a hand gripping section;

b. an elastic member which urges said hand gripping section against said sidewall; and

c. flexible suspension lines extending from opposite ends of said hand gripping section to points adjacent the upper ends of each sidewall, each said flexible suspension line being of greater length than the distance from said end of said hand gripping section to an adjacent said point, said flexible susperiphery of said flat upper surface and adapted to pivot from abutting relationship adjacent the center of said surface upwardly and outwardly to a position outwardly of said frame and parallel with said surface.

7. The combination of claim 4 wherein said legs comprise a first leg assembly pivotally attached to one end of said frame and a second leg assembly pivotally attached to the other end of said frame, said first and second leg assemblies being pivotable from a first locked position perpendicular to said frame to a second locked and folded position generally parallel to said frame wherein the bottom ends of said leg assemblies are in abutting relationship.

8. The combination of claim 7 further comprising casters carried by the bottom ends of said first and second leg assemblies.

9. The combination of claim 4 further comprising at least one drawer member slidably positioned through said frame. 

1. A crib and table combination comprising: a. a table member which includes a frame having a flat upper surface, legs depending from said frame, retractable locking lugs carried by said frame and movably positioned to extend outwardly of said frame, means to actuate said locking lugs; and b. a crib member adapted to be removably positioned on said table member comprising a base enclosed by Upwardly extending contiguous sidewalls and end walls, said base adapted to overlie said flat upper surface of said table member, support members extending downwardly from the peripheral portions of said base, said support members being aligned to fit adjacent said locking lugs of said frame and carrying locking apertures which align with and receive said locking lugs when said crib member is positioned on said table member to thereby retain said crib on said table in a locked relationship.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said crib comprises a handle assembly positioned on the upper middle portion of each sidewall, each said handle assembly comprising: a. a hand gripping section; b. an elastic member which urges said gripping section against said upper portion of said sidewall; and c. flexible suspension lines extending from opposite ends of said gripping section to points adjacent the upper ends of each sidewall, each said flexible suspension lines being of greater length than the distance from the end of the gripping section to an adjacent said point, said flexible suspension lines thereby suspending said cradle when said gripping sections are grasped and pulled upwardly.
 3. The combination of claim 1 further comprising a pair of table top extension sections hingedly connected to the periphery of said flat upper surface and adapted to pivot from abutting relationship adjacent the center of said surface upwardly and outwardly to a position outwardly of said frame and parallel with said surface.
 4. A crib and table combination comprising: a. a table member which includes a frame having a flat upper surface, legs depending downwardly from said frame and pivotable from a first locked position perpendicular to said frame to a second locked and folded position generally parallel to said frame, retractable locking lugs carried by said frame and movably positioned to extend outwardly of said frame, means to actuate said locking lugs; and b. a crib member adapted to be removably positioned on said surface of said frame comprising a base enclosed by upwardly extending contiguous sidewalls and end walls, support members extending downwardly from the peripheral portions of said base, and carrying locking apertures which will align with and receive said locking lugs when said crib member is positioned upon said table member to thereby retain said crib and said table when in locked relationship.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said crib comprises a handle assembly positioned on the upper middle portion of each sidewall, each said handle assembly comprising: a. a hand gripping section; b. an elastic member which urges said hand gripping section against said sidewall; and c. flexible suspension lines extending from opposite ends of said hand gripping section to points adjacent the upper ends of each sidewall, each said flexible suspension line being of greater length than the distance from said end of said hand gripping section to an adjacent said point, said flexible suspension lines thereby suspending said cradle when said hand gripping sections are grasped and pulled upwardly.
 6. The combination of claim 4 further comprising table top extension sections hingedly connected to the periphery of said flat upper surface and adapted to pivot from abutting relationship adjacent the center of said surface upwardly and outwardly to a position outwardly of said frame and parallel with said surface.
 7. The combination of claim 4 wherein said legs comprise a first leg assembly pivotally attached to one end of said frame and a second leg assembly pivotally attached to the other end of said frame, said first and second leg assemblies being pivotable from a first locked position perpendicular to said frame to a second locked and folded position generally parallel to said frame wherein the bottom ends of said leg assemblies are in abutting relationship.
 8. The combination of claim 7 further comprising casters carried by thE bottom ends of said first and second leg assemblies.
 9. The combination of claim 4 further comprising at least one drawer member slidably positioned through said frame. 